News

Actress finds it's not a long way from Tipperary to ancient Rome

THE American television company behind the hit shows Sex and the City and The Sopranos has chosen a young Irish actress to play a leading role in its next series, Rome.

HBO has cast Kerry Condon as an aristocrat in its epic historical drama series set in the Eternal City. The 22-year-old from Co Tipperary beat off competition from dozens of English actresses to land the part in the drama, which will cost $65m (€51m) to make, or about $5m per episode. Until now, she has featured mainly in low-budget Irish films.

The company, which also made the Steven Spielberg miniseries Band of Brothers, is teaming up with the BBC on the ambitious project.

Set in 51BC when Julius Caesar returned to Rome having conquered Gaul, the series chronicles the rise of the ancient empire through the eyes of two foot soldiers. Condon will play Octavia, whose brother Octavian became